Air
Breaking down Minnesota’s cumulative impacts law
Learn more about Minnesota's cumulative impacts law, why it matters, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's rulemaking process, and what is still being decided.
Experts explain Minnesota’s smoky, hazy summer
Environmental Initiative recently sat down with experts at the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) to learn more about air quality forecasting, recent air quality trends, and what people can do to stay safe.
Voluntary stove swap program warms homes, cleans air, cuts costs
Do you heat your home with wood? Burn more than two cords of wood per year? Have an appliance that was manufactured before 1992? You might be eligible for Project Stove Swap! We connect Minnesota residents to local vendors to swap out old, inefficient wood burning stoves for newer models.
Collaborative policy victory: Lottery reauthorization for Minnesota
The Minnesota Legislature recently passed the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund renewal bill. This important legislation will put a question before voters to reauthorize Minnesota State Lottery funds for conservation. It also creates a new $20 million per year community grants program.
Asthma, air quality, and athletes: The community coach’s role
An asthma attack can be a scary situation for coaches and athletes, but it doesn’t have to be! The Minnesota Department of Health, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, and youth sport coaches collaborated to create a free 35-minute online training course to share information with youth coaches about what to do when a player has asthma symptoms or an asthma attack.
Expanding Lottery funds for the environment, for all
Environmental Initiative is part of a coalition of mainstream environmental organizations advocating for the Minnesota State Legislature to get a question on the ballot in 2024 on whether to continue dedicating state lottery funds to the great outdoors. Our organization is focused on convening conversations for proposed changes that would make the Environmental and Natural Resources Trust Fund more equitable.
The EPA plans to tighten air pollution standards, what it means for Minnesota
The U.S. EPA has proposed updated national ambient air quality standards for fine particle pollution, or PM 2.5, for the first time in more than a decade. The stricter standards highlight the importance of Clean Air Minnesota's voluntary emission reduction work to help Minnesota stay in compliance.
Reducing vehicle emissions at no cost to residents
Cars for Neighbors recently hit a big milestone, reducing more than six tons of volatile organic compounds and nitrous oxide emissions by repairing vehicle emission systems.
Local fishing charter reduces emissions through engine upgrades
Reel Action Sport Fishing Charters in Sturgeon Bay, Wis. partnered with Environmental Initiative to upgrade their deep sea fishing boat engines to reduce air pollution and increase fuel efficiency.
The joy of meaningful connection
Executive director Mike Harley writes about interdependence and the transformative experiences that await each of us when we say "yes" to new relationships.
